23 Medium Length Hairstyles & Haircuts for Square Shaped Faces

Square shaped faces can sometimes look or feel overly angular and harsh. Wide foreheads and chins are balanced but tend to create overly exaggerated lines. But not to worry!

You can soften up your chiseled cheeks or jaw line with strategically placed layers, bangs, and texture. These medium length hairstyles for square faces will refresh your look and make you feel totally hip to be a square.

Mid-Length Razor Cut

This is a modern take on a classic look. We’ll refer to it as a mid-length razor cut. My client needed something professional as a news anchor, but still young and current to show her personality.

I decided on a razor because it allowed me to carve shape and remove weight on her thick, heavy hair. We added plenty of soft layers (both internal and surface) around her face and throughout the hair to create movement and fluidity. This helps provide volume at the top and crown to bring balance to a square jawline. This cut can be styled polished or lived-in with a bit of texture.

Any advice for someone considering it?

Since this look is mid-length, it will work on most. Keep in mind that if your hair texture is finer, the razor can be aggressive on your delicate locks so it’s better to use shears. If you have more of a round face, try wearing an off-centered part instead of a side part to slim and lengthen the face.

To style, use a leave-in product to smooth the cuticle and protect from heat. I used Davines All In One Milk. For volume, I sprayed Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray at the roots, top, and crown. I completed the look with a large to medium-sized round brush.

Eye-Catching Simplicity

I would describe this look as eye-catching yet simplistic. My client is a photographer and a mother of four, so I wanted to give her something soft, stylish, and maintainable since she only sees me every few months.

My favorite part about this style is the color placement. She gets the right amount of pop with her color in the all the right places. Her haircut gives her the bounce and versatility you would find in a shorter style, and the length in the front gives the illusion of a longer mid-length cut. It is the best of both worlds!

Any advice for someone considering it?

This look is ideal for someone who doesn’t mind spending a little extra time styling. The hairstyle is very simplistic, but you can spice it up with heat styling and products!

Adding a few bends or curls can create a super stylish textured look. Adding texture spray can give you a beachy lived-in look after it is styled. This look can also be styled by adding a few curls to create a soft wave. Add a shine serum starting at mid-lengths and pull through your ends. Comb with a wide-toothed comb to create soft waves. Keep in mind the larger your iron is, the larger your curls will be. If you want a textured “beachy” look go with a smaller iron and smaller sections.

Last but not least, to create a smooth look you can use a smoothing cream and a round brush to smooth the hair. Use a thermal spray and smooth with a flat iron. Finish it off with a shine spray or shine serum for a smooth and sleek mid-length style!

Textured Blunt Lob

I would describe this look as a textured lob. My favorite thing about this look is how you can still have the clean, blunt ends with all of the texture happening on the surface. I feel like you can wear this look sleek, or have fun with a messy textured style! It is a very versatile look.

Any advice for someone considering it?

This hairstyle can really go either way. You can put in some light styling cream or mousse and let the hair air dry for an effortless look, or style it for more body and texture.

If texturized correctly, this look can work for someone with thick or thinner hair. Overall, I feel this cut can be worn by anyone with simple adjustments to the length and amount of texture!

Warm Honey Balayage

This is a warm honey balayage. I love the way the movement of the colors flow and define the different dimensions and depth within her hair.

Any advice for someone considering it?

This cut could be easily customized for any face shape or hair texture. I used Amika Wizard to add a nice healthy shine to her blow dry, then finished her style with loose waves curled with an Amika 1 1/2-inch Chameleon wand. We added Puff Me at her root for slight lift, then finished with the Amika Texture Spray for her waves.

Lived-In Freestyle Hair

This is one of my very favorite ways to style hair. Next day, lived-in, freestyled hair is always my goal. I like for the style to complement the face, but accentuate the jaw, cheeks and eyes. Instead of taking sections and curling one in toward the face and the other section away, I take full horizontal sections toward the face to accentuate the jaw. It softens that area just right!

The next horizontal section would go away from the face, beginning to form our “next day” shape and showing off those cheekbones. I continue the toward/away horizontal sections until the bang area. I like for the bangs to all go away from the face to make sure we open up those eyes!

My favorite thing about this type of style is that it gives the guest some versatility. It makes them slow down and think about what they’re doing rather than just the normal robotic curl they do to themselves. It always is so flattering and makes the colors look amazing.

Any advice for someone considering it?

My first piece of advice is clean sections! I think people rush through the curl and I really try to live by the saying “slow down to speed up”! Take the time to section the front away from the back and use the ear as a guide as to where to separate.

I personally love a good dry texture spray (my favorite is by Oribe) at the root and then some through the ends before and after you curl. If you have finer hair, spray a little hairspray all over to help the style last. I try to let the curl settle and cool a little before running my hands through.

I have really come to find that everyone of all shapes and sizes love this style. Guests come in just for me to teach them how to do it themselves! It softens where it should and forms this easygoing style that anyone can achieve.

Slightly Angled Blunt Cut

This is a blunt, shoulder length cut with a slight angle to it. She also has a swooping side bang to soften her face. I balayaged subtle highlights around the face to give her fine hair some dimension.

I love this look because it looks great straight or curled. Her highlights look so natural, and the soft curls really enhance them.

Any advice for someone considering it?

My advice for someone considering this look would be to go for it! The color is low maintenance and the cut grows out nicely. Bangs are a bit of a commitment, so that is definitely something to consider.

To style the look like this, the client would need a 1 1/4-inch curling iron and a lightweight hairspray for hold.

Customizable Lob

As hairstylists, we always try to be one step ahead for our clients to revamp their hair. This look fulfills modern effortless color and is super low maintenance. Long bobs are great because they are shorter and playful, yet you can still wear a low braid or ponytail.

I always have a thorough consultation with a game plan of what we want to achieve overall in a look that is customized for each client’s face shape and their lifestyle. For example, one session you can get highlights and some blonde tips, and the next session just a few highlights and a face frame. The following session can take care of whatever is needed to add a pop or refresh.

Any advice for someone considering it?

Think of hair color the way you apply makeup. What do you want to “highlight” and what do you want to shadow/contour on your face? That is how I determine how bold I want that face frame, or what I want to highlight or to tone down.

I love that this look can be customized to any client. If you want a statement piece, the face frame can be bolder. If you still want face frame but are more natural and subtle, I would color melt, meaning, blend in darker to lighter tones into the face frame and take thinner pieces.

After all, this look is meant to mimic our hair from when we were little girls, how the sun would naturally lighten the front and tips and we wouldn’t have to do a thing.

Soft Lived-In Curls

How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?

These soft, lived-in curls accentuate the energy of the hair, giving the light a chance to radiate throughout. I love the way they bring the style together to give a soft but powerful presence.

What products do you recommend to maintain and recreate this look?

I start each client off with 21 Benefits by Pureology. This product adds shine, controls frizz, and provides heat protection. I added MoroccanOil Volumizing Mousse for a flexible hold with movement. I created this look with a 1 1/4-inch barrel curling iron, curling in one-inch sections.

I then ran my fingers through the curls to give them their soft appearance and finished with MoroccanOil Strong Hold Hairspray. It gives a touchable hold and leaves an amazing scent in the hair!

What type of client would you recommend this look for?

This style gives body to hair that would otherwise be flat and limp. It deflects the roundness of the face and creates length. I love to give my clients who have fine hair loose curls to give that movement they crave!

Curls really bring balayage to life! They accentuate the depth of the hair color and are easy to recreate at home, giving the illusion that you woke up this way.

Modern Next-Day Hair

How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?

I would describe this look as modern, mid-length, next-day hair.

My favorite thing about it is all the texture and detail in the cut. The whole cut was done on dry hair, making it easy to go in with heavy point cutting to get those seamless internal layers.

What products do you recommend to maintain and recreate this look?

To recreate this look, you need a curling iron and texture spray. My favorite product to get that disheveled, undone look is L’Oreal Professional Tecni Art Wild Stylers Next Day Hair. I also love R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste to help get some nice volume at the roots. My favorite curling iron is BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Curling Iron 1 1/4-inch.

What type of client would you recommend this look for?

I recommend this cut to clients with medium to thick hair that are looking for something that will give them more texture and movement. It’s a nice medium length that will look good on all face shapes.

1. Razored Beauty

Blended and beautiful highlights cascade into medium length bangs and shoulder sweeping layers. The brightness of the color on top of the head as well as the razored texture throughout, keep the eye moving around this multi-dimensional style. Keeping the ends piece-y and textured instead of blunt helps add instant diffused lines.

How to Style:

First, apply the appropriate products out of the shower to help add smoothness and volume.

Then blow dry your entire head with a paddle brush to help remove moisture. Use a medium sized round brush on the top layers and bangs to really control direction, shape, and volume.

Lastly, if you still have frizz, use a flat iron on the lengths to really smooth out your hair and make it straight.

Recommended Products:

Shining Weightless Amplifier by Privé is awesome for silky shine and great volume. Apply to wet hair at the crown and through the ends for a great blowout.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

This look would compliment most face shapes but really works well on square shapes because of the soft lines, color, and texture. Your eye looks at the fun colors and softness and does not concentrate on what shape your face is. This style is great for thin to thick hair with straight texture.

Tip: Only use the round brush where you need volume the most. The crown and the bangs are the most efficient areas to use a round brush when blow-drying. If you try to round brush your entire head you are wasting time and energy.

2. Classic Curls

Soft curls and waves are a great way to offset strong lines of a square shaped face. These curls are directed back and away from the face but you could curl them towards your face, too. Adding pops of spicy highlights throughout the chocolate color help add some punch and interest.

How to Style:

Start by parting your hair to one side of the head.

Use large hot rollers and set your hair.

Take them down, brush them out a little bit, and go out on the town! Or you can use a large, 1 ½” curling iron to curl your entire head. Focus the curls on the mid-shaft of the hair to ends so you create a smoother look at your roots.

Recommended Products:

Try Moroccan Oil’s Leave-In Treatment right out of the shower or before you curl to zap frizz.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

Curls are a fabulous way to minimize strong linear shapes so square face shapes should apply! This look is classic and would look great on all face shapes. All hair types and texture can achieve this look with the proper tools.

Tip: Play with your part out of the shower and try to find out which side lays better. Sometimes cowlicks hinder your options so play around until you find the best position for you.

3. Perfect Prism

Gorgeous prismatic red colors make this copper cut glow. The color blocking effect in the bangs add a zip and a zing to traditional straight across bangs. Layers are cut medium to long to blend in around cheek bones and jaw bones.

How to Style:

Usually I would not recommend using a round brush for an entire blow out but it will be perfect in creating nice round layers that flip under from top to bottom.

Section out hair, starting by your neck and blow dry the section under.

When the section is completely dry, drop another section down and repeat. Really flip ends under and towards the face with your brush.

Flat iron bangs straight down to finish off the look.

Recommended Products:

I would suggest using a mousse for hold and volume. Kerastase’s Volumactive Mousse is awesome for adding texture, volume, and will make your blowout a breeze. Use a light hold hairspray like Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Weightless Hairspray to lock in the style.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

The perfectly placed layers cut into the face to add roundness making it lovely for square shaped faces. Round faces may be too exaggerated with this look so take caution. This style is good for clients with medium to thick hair and who have wavy to straight texture.

Tip: Blow dry your bangs first so they don’t dry out before you get to them. Simply blow dry them down and towards the face and then proceed to style the rest of your hair.

4. Copper Curls

This hairstyle shows off tousled red ringlets that really zing. The medium length cut hits the shoulders at a great spot with amazing volume. The ombre hair coloring technique isn’t just for blondes and brunettes. Reds can create a fabulous fade effect as well.

How to Style:

These are probably natural curls so pull out your diffuser!

Towel dry and blot your hair to remove moisture and then layer on the products.

Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair and then scrunch from the ends up to encourage the curl. Put the diffuser attachment onto your hairdryer and cradle your curls on medium heat. You don’t need to tip your hair upside down because you want a smoother look on top. Just diffuse the ends of the hair.

Keep moving the diffuser around until your hair is completely dry and spray with hairspray if you desire.

Recommended Products:

Kerastase has a wonderful mousse in their Nutritive line that hydrates and holds so curls won’t frizz. Cocktail a mousse with a serum for more hydration and shine, such as Glass from Redken.

Tip: Use some hairspray on wet hair before diffusing to add some stickiness and hold to your curly style.

5. Sweet Texture

I love the natural highlights and shapes this hairstyle creates. Soft sweeping bangs and tiny curls on the ends make a harmonious statement. This length and style is very versatile, too.

How to Style:

To create this loose wavy style:

Use a medium to large sized barrel curling iron, take smaller sized sections of hair and curl. Really focus on curling the ends to recreate this look; smoother on top, curlier on the ends.

Use your fingers to un curl the bangs and pull them to the side. Curling the hair first before doing so will create a wavy like texture as shown in the photo.

Recommended Products:

Keep hair soft by using a leave in conditioner like Prive’s Thermal Detangling Spray, which helps comb out hair, moisturizes, and protects your hair from heat. Glam up your look by trying Pureology Glossing Mist for amazing shine and try Mop Firm Finish Strong Hold Hair Spray to set it.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

The soft bangs and sweet flipping curls make this great for all face shapes. Fine to thick hair can achieve this style and is best for straight to wavy textures.

Tip: Accessorize! I’m a big fan of cute hair barrettes, clip, headbands, or bows. Take the next step by adding some bling or even feathers to show off your style.

6. Chic Shag

Chiseled layers frame the face perfectly and the style is topped off with creatively placed bangs. Gorgeous rich hues of auburn, copper, and gold, create a swirl of beautiful colors while long straight across bangs create a touch of mystery.

How to Style:

As I mentioned in a previous style, I usually would not recommend using a round brush for an entire blow out but it will be perfect in creating nice round layers that really flip under.

Section out a portion of hair, starting by your neck and blow-dry that section under.

When the section is completely dry, drop another section down and repeat. Really flip ends under and towards the face with your brush.

Flat iron bangs straight down to finish off the look.

Pull a layer of hair from the back towards the face to create that side swept effect.

Recommended Products:

Use the Blowout Lotion from the Number 4 hair care line to help add softness and definition to the style. Then run some serum through from the same brand to add sparkle and shine.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

The rounded layers cut into the face to add roundness and framing, making it lovely for square shaped faces. This style is good for clients with medium to thick hair and who have wavy to straight texture.

Tip: Blow dry your bangs first so they don’t dry out before you get to them. Simply blow dry them down and towards the face and then proceed to style the rest of your hair.

7. Girl Next Door

This classic hairstyle is timeless with short sideswept bangs and long gorgeous layers. A stunning shade of brown help make this style look simple and chic. Have your stylist pull bangs from way back and to the side of your head to thicken up the bangs as shown.

How to Style:

Section out a portion of hair, starting by your neck and blow-dry that section under.

When the section is completely dry, drop another section down and repeat.

Use the same round brush to blow-dry bangs forward and then smooth them over to the side. You could also use a paddle brush for most of your blow-drying and then go in at the end, when hair is almost dry, and use the round brush just at the bottom ends to create that flipped look.

Recommended Products:

A soft style like this doesn’t need much product. Use a smoothing product like Got2B Smooth Operating Smoothing Luxury Hair Mousse before blowing out your hair.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

The soft edges and rounded bangs help offset a square shaped face though all face shapes can wear this haircut. This style works best for girls with straight to wavy hair of any hair thickness.

Tip: Your makeup can really play up your style. Opt for red lips and a pin up style to look glam and retro or tone it down to be more natural. Always consider every element of beauty or fashion to help achieve the look you want.

8. Whimsical Waves

I love subtle highlights on girls with curls because the light bounces off of them beautifully. This dark reddish brown color is really spiced up with some reddish pieces.

Cut just past the shoulders with a deep side part and lightened up with medium to long layers. Add some loose waves and you’ve got a winning combination.

How to Style:

Before curling, always start with completely dry hair and some sort of product to protect from heat.

Part hair to one side and brush through.

Pin up half of your hair and secure.

Start grabbing pieces of the left out section, big and small, and start curling with a 1 ½ “ barrel curling iron. This look is more wavy and not so perfect so grab different sized pieces of hair and don’t be too meticulous with the iron.

Drop down your top section of hair and repeat.

Run your fingers through gently to break up some of the curls. Scrunch a bit with your hands and spray to secure.

Recommended Products:

If you need to touch up throughout the day use Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Reactivating Mist. Spray and scrunch to add texture and redefine your curls. Or try their Classic Hairspray to add texture and lock curls in place.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

This is awesome for square shaped faces due to the softening lines of the curls around the face. If you ever want to balance out straight angular lines – throwing in curves is a great solution. Medium to thick hair is great for this fuller style and any hair texture can achieve this look.

Tip: Try a subtle zig-zag part instead of a pin straight one for more interest and volume.

9. Jessica’s Effortless Up-do

This messy style is kept looking sophisticated with smoothed out front pieces. Hair is parted, teased, and tousled back up into pins which offers lots of dramatic elements and interest.

Platinum blonde ends flow out of darker blended roots, which is a personal taste decision. I personally say – work it!

How to Style:

Hair should be a little bit dirty and not too clean so plan ahead for this look on the day after a shampoo. A little grit in the hair will help with the texture and style.

Spray your hair with some hairspray and brush through to add a little bit of grit and texture to your hair and then part down the center.

Using a fine-toothed comb, take small sections of hair at the crown and tease down towards the scalp to create volume and then hairspray into place.

Use your fingers to smooth back hair slightly (you still want an unkempt look) and pull hair into a low ponytail and secure with an elastic.

Back comb or tease your ponytail so it’s a little messy and secure with pins into the elastic for a messy bun.

Use your fingers to pull some of the layers gently up and out of the bun for an undone feel.

Quickly curl the front pieces of hair so the flick out at the bottom and look soft.

Blast with a strong hold hairspray!

Recommended Products:

Because this look has lots of texture you can use lots of hairspray without worrying about it looking too stiff. Try Sexy Hair’s Spray and Play Volumizing Hairspray for texture and hold.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

Square shaped faces work with this style because of the added height and soft pieces around the face. When you create a hairstyle that is soft and has texture it tricks your eye to focus on those elements. All clients should try this style.

Tip: Have all your tools out and organized, ready to go before starting an up-do. You’ll need a clean and neat workspace so you can grab what you need easily.

10. Perfectly Paris

This asymmetrical style is super cute for a shorter medium length cut. A side part creates sweeping bangs and layers that round out the square shape of the face.

Having the length be longer on one side distracts the eye from looking at the linear jaw line. Light blonde pieces placed throughout a dark blonde base are a fabulous example of how to create blonde dimension.

How to Style:

Instead of depending on the flat iron, up your blow-dry skills to round out this bob.

Start by using a medium sized round brush and really roll the ends under while blow-drying, especially around and toward the face.

Next, use a flat iron if you need to after hair is dry but bevel the flat iron under so you don’t get any extremely straight edges.

Spray on some shine spray and finger through.

Recommended Products:

Use Kerastase’s Oleo-Relax while wet or dry before applying heat to smooth and protect hair strands. Minimal product is needed for this look so it still feels soft. Use Moroccan Oil Gold Glimmer Shine to spray over hair when done for instant glimmer and shine.

Best Hair Type and Face Shape:

The rounded layers help change this square shape into round. It camouflages angular lines and creates softness. Thick to thin hair and straight to wavy texture can achieve this look.

Tip: Bows are totally on trend right now! Take a cue from Miss Paris and tie a silky ribbon in your hair for instant glam.

As you can see, square shaped faces have lots to choose from when it comes to cute mid-length hairstyles. Curly, wavy, or even straight hair looks fabulous when styled correctly.

The right hair design elements can help soften angular lines and bring harmony to your look. Remember these inspirations and tips when choosing the perfect look for you!